No Bake Frozen Blueberry Bars

Low-sugar no-bake frozen blueberry bars are naturally sweetened with dates, blueberries and a hint of maple syrup for a healthy dessert!

Looking for a healthy frozen dessert that will impress a crowd without too much effort? These low-sugar frozen blueberry bars are sure to be a hit at your next party or BBQ. They are naturally sweetened with dates, blueberries and a hint of maple syrup.

The best part is that you don’t need to turn on a hot oven to whip up this delicious show stopping desert!

Ingredients for Frozen Blueberry Bars

These bars are completely vegan and don’t require any cooking. All of the ingredients are plant-based and very low in added sugar.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Crust

• ½ cup dates pitted
• ½ cup unsalted almonds
• 1 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
• ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon water

Filling

• 1 cups unsalted cashews soaked in water overnight (see note below)
• ¼ cup coconut milk full fat
• 1 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup blueberries

Toppings

• ½ cup fresh or freeze dried blueberries
• 2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut

How to make them

These bars are made in two steps. The first step is making the crust and the second step is the filling. Then you freeze! Here’s a closer look at the recipe steps:

1. Add dates, almonds, coconut flakes, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Blend until a well-combined mixture forms. It should be sticky to the touch.
2. Press the mixture evenly into the parchment lined 8×8 pan (it will fill about half the pan). Place in the fridge while preparing the filling.
3. Use a food processor or to puree cashews, coconut milk, maple syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until mixture is smooth and creamy. If it’s chunky, add more coconut milk until it’s creamy.
4. Pour half of the filling mixture onto the crust. Leave the other half of the filling mixture in the food processor.
5. To the other half of the filling mixture, add the blueberries and process until well combined.
6. Spread blueberry layer over the plain layer and garnish with toppings of choice. Place the pan in the freezer.
7. Allow bars to set for at least 2-3 hours or completely firm. You can serve frozen or let them sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

How long do they take to make?

These bars don’t require hours to assemble and bake, but you do need to soak the cashews in water overnight. Therefore, you do need to plan ahead when making this recipe. (See the note in the recipe below about boiling the cashews if you plan on using them the same day.)

Obviously, these bars need to set in the freezer, so you can’t serve them immediately. They will need about 2-3 hours in the freezer to come together. Make sure you leave yourself enough time if you plan on bringing them to a party.

Are these bars healthy?

Yes, this is actually a healthy dessert! I’m not just saying this because I’m a Dietitian. First, they are completely vegan and have very little fat, besides a dash of coconut milk. They are made with a mixture of pureed cashews and coconut milk.

Plus, they only have a dash of added sugar from the maple syrup. These bars combine the natural sweetness of dates and blueberries with the richness of almonds and cashews to create a dessert that is equal parts sweet and creamy!

Should I eat them while frozen?

My husband is a HUGE fan of these bars, and he likes to let them sit for 10 minutes before digging in. You can eat them directly from the freezer (and I do most of the time), but they are a bit cold on your teeth. Eat them however you like them! But keep in mind that they will melt if you leave them out for longer than 30-ish minutes.

Can I use frozen blueberries instead? 

You can easily substitute fresh blueberries with frozen blueberries in this recipe. It will not impact the flavor or texture in any way! And the best part is that you don’t even have to thaw your frozen blueberries, you can throw them right into the food processor to make your blueberry layer. 

Substituting fresh blueberries with frozen berries is a great idea if you want to make this recipe outside of blueberry season – I know you’re going to want to eat this dessert all year round! Frozen blueberries are picked at the peak of freshness and flash frozen on the spot. That means they are sweet, nutritious and affordable! 

Can I replace blueberries with another berry?

If you don’t have blueberries on hand, you could use another kind of fresh or frozen berry like strawberries, blackberries or raspberries. If you do use another type of berry, the taste may be slightly different but it’s fun to experiment with different ingredients. 

What toppings should I add?

I highly recommend adding whatever toppings speak to you! In the recipe, I suggest whole blueberries, lemon zest or grated coconut. Some other nice toppings include:

• chopped nuts
• chia seeds
• freeze dried blueberries
• a dollop of whipped cream (note: they won’t be vegan anymore)

How do I store these bars?

Store them in the freezer in an airtight bag (I like Stasher bags) or an airtight tupperware. Just make sure the tupperware is durable for the freezer and does not let air in.

These bars will last for about 2-3 months in the freezer, but I’m 99% sure they will be gobbled up long before then.